Morioka Camp - Winter 2008

Well, it seems that I'll be doing this for the third time.
Morioka College called me out to help out with the English Camp a few weeks ago.

I was really happy to get to see some of the teachers again. I was happy to take on the work but I've been super busy the last little bit. Besides working I've been actively trying to find a place to live... with what little money I have, and zero credit rating at any Japanese Bank, I've had a few setbacks.

Being the third time round, I can sort make a guess of what type of level I can do with this group. So it wasn't very hard to make materials for it.

Anyways, we had a blast!! Too bad I wasn't able to stay the night as I had to work else where in the morning.

Check out the pictures







Cheers

-Tom

Trip Back to Grandma's House

Well, I went back to Grandma's House up in Kuzumaki yesterday!

It was soo cold!! I was able to meet Satoko's whole family and had a few drinks with her dad.

We ended up staying over night, and having some really good food. : )

Quite the experience ~

Enjoy the photos



You can see the snow, higher then the car.
Making some tofu snacks.

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Standing in the cold outside the house.




The Awesome Cows! I want one!!
:)

Cheers
-Tom

Happy New Year!

Happy New Years Everyone! I ran off with Satoko, her sister and her sisters friend today to Hachiman-gu. Like all good people, we ran up there, threw our 15 Yen, claped twice and climbed out of line....
Crazy Crazy Crazy.... But not as bad as Narita last year, Just a lot colder...

Enjoy the Pictures

-Tom

New Sounds for Traditional Instruments from Tokyo

I meet two Musicians today, Curtis Patterson(Koto) and Bruce Huebner(Shakuhachi).
Their two wonderful guys with amazing talent!

If you want to read up on them, Check out --> http://www.zabutonemusic.com/

Cheers

-Tom

Welcome to Morioka Party

Hey! Remember I was talking about Toshiko wanting to have a welcome party for me!?
Today was my welcome to Morioka party!
I had a really really good time!!~~ A lot of Toshiko’s friends came and we had a great feast!!
The people in Morioka are very friendly! Noriko and Nachiko, the other two nice ladies whom I meet in Victoria also came!
It’s times like this that I’m really glad to come to Morioka.
Going to a different country is stressing, but having gatherings like this really take that away.

Toshiko and her husban also play the guitar ! (Wanna See? Click here - Morioka Welcoming Music)

Thanks everyone that came!!!!~~~~ I had a great time!

-Tom

Funny, How Music and Food always come hand in hand...... Great Acoustics, Toshiko is really skilled!
It makes me wish I could play!!~~

(****** Click Here to watch Toshiko Play *********) - Same as above...


Look at all that food!~ Yummmm.... Smiles everyone!!!

Narita San - Night

Hey everyone, I've when back to the Temple I was talking about... And My friend was right... It's insane.. the lines were huge!! And the Police weren't directing the people anymore, they were controlling us like cars.

Basically what happened is that all the people are funneled though a large walkway.
Then, the people in the front are stopped by 5 police holding hands.
Then the Police walk forward about 6 meters and stop.
Then this step is repeated for the people behind. Thus creating a cube's or groups of humans.

Then this cube is escorted to the temple.

Heading for the Funnel


In my Cube, waiting for the Cube of humans ahead of us to finish throwing money in the money pot and making their wishes.

*** VIDEO CLICK HERE ***